Aquinnah

Well, the first order of business today is to welcome Beverly Wright to the Board of Selectmen. I’m sure Beverly will be a welcome addition to the Board as she brings a great deal of experience from serving on the Tribal Council as well. Congratulations, Beverly.

I would also like to thank outgoing selectman Camille Rose for her years of service. I hope she enjoys her semi-retirement from Aquinnah politics, but if I know Camille she’ll keep her hand in.

We also have a new town nurse, Mary McLaughlin, who will hold a blood pressure clinic at the town hall from 11 am-12 noon today. Due to scheduling issues, the day of the clinic will fluctuate a little the first few months and then a regular time will be chosen. You can call 508-645-2307 for more information. Welcome Mary!

The Chilmark Store opened last Thursday and it is a welcome sight up-Island. New proprietors Joel Glickman and Jennifer LaRusso have done a wonderful job sprucing up the place with a fresh coat of paint and new shelving. It looks great and I hope they have a wonderful summer.

Chilmark Tavern is planning on opening May 23, the Outermost Inn by Memorial Day.

The MV Cancer Support Group Gala is this evening at the Granary Gallery in West Tisbury at 6 pm. You can call 508-696-9849 for tickets.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will hold its fifth cultural luncheon on Saturday, May 21, from 12 noon to 2 pm at The Grill on Main in Edgartown. The luncheon will honor The Whaling Wives of Martha’s Vineyard. The program speaker is Vineyard-born mystery writer Cynthia Riggs. Cynthia’s great-grandmother, Mary Carline Cleaveland, sailed with her husband, Capt. James Cleaveland on a five-year whaling voyage into the Pacific. Vineyarders will not want to miss this slice of Island history. For tickets, call MVC4L Director Leslie Clapp at 508-939-9440. Tickets can also be obtained through June Manning here in Aquinnah.

If you are planning to work in the restaurant industry this summer, you may want to check out this class at ACE-MV on Wednesday, May 25: Food Safety Sanitation Mini-Course with Alice Robinson at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) from 5 to 9 pm. I hear this class is most helpful and even experienced restaurant people will learn something new. Info and registration at www.acemv.org or call 508-693-1033, ext. 240.

This sounds like so much fun it makes me wish I could be a kid again: the Aquinnah Cultural Center is hosting a traditional games day for all kids, from pre-K to 12th grade, on Saturday, May 28, from 11 am to 4 pm, with a rain date of May 29. Games include hubbub, hoop & spear, foot races, double ball, and others. Lunch will be provided. Sign up by May 20: there is space for 40 kids. You can sign up via email at aquinnahcc@gmail.com or by calling 508-645-7900.

Did anyone check out the red carpet entrance all the juniors made at the prom this weekend? It was very sweet; the Beach Plum Inn set up a red carpet and encouraged parents to come and take pictures, paparazzi style. All the kids looked beautiful and happy, although the ladies were shivering a little because of course it was cold and dreary out. There was a tent out behind the inn with a band, and it seemed like everyone had a great time — but of course they’re not going to tell a grownup like me anything about it.